Fearless flying fanatics!

As pastimes go, wing-walking could be considered extreme, but for engineering student, Cerina Rydälv —one of the star attractions at this month's Al Ain Aerobatic Show — performing on the wing of a speeding plane is nothing out of the ordinary.

Rydälv, who acts the role of a playful ‘Skycat' as part of the Scandinavian Airshow display team, is due to take to the air for the breathtaking ‘Garden City' spectacle at Al Ain International Airport which runs from January 28-31.

The intrepid Swede says she didn't plan to be a wing walker, but, as a skydiver, was asked to join the show by a friend.

Now Rydälv and her four fellow ‘Skycats' don cat suits, ears and whiskers and attach themselves to the wing of the plane with a special harness for the display, which always proves a hit with youngsters.

First-time visit

Rydälv says she's looking forward to visiting Al Ain next week and taking advantage of the mild UAE winter.

“Usually we don't fly during the Swedish wintertime, it's too cold and dangerous, but now, by coming to Al Ain, we get to fly in the middle of the winter!'' she enthused.

“It's always nice to go to an air show, and this time we have the opportunity to travel far away — the planes are taken in pieces, shipped over and put together again.

"The whole crew is working really hard for this show, and it's very nice to see everybody getting so excited and participating with such enthusiasm. We really want to put on a fantastic display for visitors and I'm sure there will be many participants that will amaze us too.''

“It's really so much fun doing these shows - not only the wonderful experience of flying, but also the feeling of doing it as a team,'' she said. “To see the happy children when we play around as cats and of course to see new places and meet new people is great.''

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises the event in conjunction with the UAE Air Force, believes the inclusion of new-to-the region displays are critical in reinforcing the Al Ain spectacle as one of the world's most prominent aerobatics events.

“The addition of fresh performers to the region displays keeps our offering dynamic and is important in maintaining the show's world-class standing,'' said Ahmad Hussain, Deputy Director General Tourism Operations, ADTA.

“This event is not just about sheer power; it incorporates all elements of aviation from the early prop planes of the 1940s to the engine-free grace of gliders. It really has something for everyone.''

Swift Team spectacular

The six-member UK-based Swift Team will also be on show, led by renowned glider pilot Guy Westgate, who began
developing manoeuvres for their dazzling performance more than a decade ago.

“We are the only team to perform the roll-on-tow manoeuvre, where the glider flies upside down while being pulled by the towplane,'' said Westgate.

Swift Team pilots have vowed to perform a special cameo for the 130,000 spectators expected this year.

“Spectators should expect to be surprised,'' said Westgate, a former record-breaking, glider display champion. “If they have seen glider displays before, they need to wipe the slate clean; we do things differently!''

Swift Team joins a host of pilots and display outfits from more than 15 countries for Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2009.

One of the highlights of the four days of action will be the regional debut of Aero GP Al Ain — the multi-discipline aerobatics event and the only international air racing series with multiple airplanes simultaneously competing against each other (a sport called ‘pylon racing').

Nicknamed aviation's ‘Formula One', Aero GP Al Ain will see five world-class pilots battle it out in a straight air race, as well as testing their skills in aerial combat and their aim in a ‘barnstorming' targeting competition.

Flying visit

Daily tickets for the show cost Dh40 per adult and Dh25 for children between three and ten years, children under three enter free. They are available at www.timeoutabudhabi.com or via the toll free hotline: 800 555.